Thursday, December 9, 2010

SDTF is sponsoring the local design team: SUITE-WA a newly formed collaborative design team in Everett, WA. The group's organizer, Gary Purves, states their goal is to develop a fully landscaped architectural model and competition entry by the Feb. 1 deadline. The urban redesign encompasses a six block area of Everett’s downtown core and will reflect the vision of the International Living Building Institute and partner organization: The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The project design will incorporate a suite of design solutions including:

pedestrian aligned mixed-use development

captured precipitation for a net-zero water community

on-site waste-water treatment and renewable energy systems

an integrated urban agricultural element

A regional light rail system and local circulating trolleys will ensure equal access and mobility for all citizens and enable a car-free community.

The competition’s intention is for design teams to imagine a living city as it might appear twenty five years in the future, an urban fabric of living and open space that celebrates nature and our innate attraction to natural elements: our biophilia.

The proposed built environment will reflect this imperative through inclusion of a variety of environmental features, natural patterns and place-based relationships, while beauty and spirit will inspire the team’s human scale design.

SUITE-WA needs to raise sufficient funds to cover the cost of the entry fee, materials and supplies for the project, printing fees, poster development, graphic illustration, and animation expenses. Those interested in assisting with in-kind donations to fulfill some of these needs should contact Gary at gp.suitewa@gmail.com without delay.

Interested in assisting with fundraising, or would like to offer financial support, mail your tax-deductible donation to SDTF @ PO Box 844 Everett, WA. 98206. Please forward this article to others who would be interested in supporting SUITE-WA in the Design Competition. Questions or for more information call 425-422-5656

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Please join the staff and friends of the Cascade Land Conservancy as they celebrate the season and say thank you to all. Bring a friend, peer or colleague! This is a great opportunity to introduce new faces to Cascade Land Conservancy. Come meet members of their staff, Trustees, Board of Directors and current volunteers.

In 2000, Karen and Warner began renovation of the church for their studios and moved in that summer (from Seattle). Both the home and the renovated church interior were open for the fall home tour that year.

Cheri O'BrienCheri O’Brien is a Pacific Northwest native currently residing and painting in the Historic SoLo district of Everett. She is a self-taught professional artist of twenty one years continually inspired by her many muses, both real and imagined.

Lisa J. Spreackeris well known for her assemblage and collage work, creating enigmatic icons of personal stories that viewers can relate to with their own experiences. She uses her original poetry, photography, bead work, found objects and her framing skills to create one of a kind intimate works of art.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Carbon Masters and Sustainable Works invites you and that friend that you plan to bring, to the October Green Drinks in Snohomish County at the Charter Club at Point Edwards.

Carbon Masters is a new program of WSU Snohomish Extension which trains concerned citizens in all matters related to Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Community Outreach. Participants exchange 50 hours of professional training for a 70 hour minimum volunteer service commitment over the course of one year. Carbon Masters program is beginning October 6th and there is still time to register

Sustainable Works is a community-based non-profit created solely to help home and small commercial building owners with home retrofits to reduce energy use while also creating quality jobs, and they are embarking in a big Fall Campaign in Edmonds and Lynnwood to offer subsidized home energy audits and weatherization.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Make a plan to meet other like minded sustainability thinkers at Green Drinkers from 5 to 7pm, Wed. September 8th.Alina Bartell of Natural Clothing Company invites you to connect with others while you explore organic clothing for the whole family made with natural fibers: hemp, certified organic cotton, bamboo.

Learn more about the fibers "you should" be wearing next to your skin. Feel free to request specific samples to be brought, email Alina info@NaturalClothingCompany.com.

Java Inn owned by Karen Everest is an award winning specialty coffee roaster with many organic, shade grown coffees. Come and sample how good organic coffee can be in her new location in the Todo Mexico building in Snohomish.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Innovative Landscape Technologies is our host for the August 11th, Green Drinks offering a wide range of services for site management and design. Using the ever-evolving 'Low Impact Development' (LID) technologies in new ways. They combine solutions to optimize performance and reduce negative impacts on sites.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

In celebration of the 3rd Anniversary of GreenDrinks Snohomish County, Greening Properties of Everett will host at the Historic Anchor Tavern. Greening Properties was the first host of GreenDrinks and the first real estate company in our county devoted to fostering and promoting the concept of sustainable development.

Join us as we look back at some of the success stories in our region and forward to some exciting prospects for the future. print your invitation

Monday, April 5, 2010

Come join Anne Dottai and the folks at Grilla Bites for their 2nd Anniversary where people have discovered a haven for locally grown, sustainably produced food and beverages - especially appealing for those with food sensitivities.

From 5-7pm 1020 1st St., Snohomish, WA. 98290Directions 360-568-7333
Environmentally stimulating surroundings the benches are salvaged church pews and the beautiful fir bead board you see lining the organic salad bar are also a Second Use find. Anne has taken the “green” concept beyond what even the most environmentally friendly business has. She uses an energy- efficient water heater, biodegradable utensils, and all locally grown produce.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

At Wednesday evening’s Everett City Council meeting, Steve Winter of Tethys Enterprises unveiled before the public his company’s proposal to start up a bottled beverage company in North Everett. Winter described the proposed facility as “environmentally responsible” which would utilize fully compostable bio-degradable plastic bottles.

“This plant will position Everett as the global leader in environmentally responsible beverage manufacturing and distribution,” Winter said.

The proposed 1 million square foot facility could create up to 1,000 jobs with a projected payroll of over $61 million.

“We have a great opportunity to have a very clean industry,” commented Mayor Ray Stephanson on Wednesday.

The resources and infrastructure in Everett make it an attractive location for the Tethys business model. Everett possesses two assets that Tethys needs in particular; water and a railway. As an alternative to the traditional beverage model of truck transport for distribution, Tethys plans on utilizing the railway to move their product.

The presentation at City Council on Wednesday was a workshop format, for informational purposes, without a council vote, which could eventually come as soon as the end of March.

One topic that sparked discussion was the city’s water resources. The Tethys operation would require 5 million gallons of untreated water a day. Tim Benedict of the City Attorney’s office explained at the City Council meeting that there are four water transmission lines flowing into Everett. The #4 line runs parallel to the US 2 Trestle and follows Pacific Avenue, carrying untreated water for industrial use to Kimberly-Clark. The maximum flow of the #4 water line is 50 million gallons a day. Kimberly-Clark uses an average of 27 million gallons of water a day or 40 million on peak days. Tethys would pay the City of Everett “the going rate” for water usage, according to Benedict. Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher raised concerns about the City’s water obligations to Tethys during times of draught. Benedict explained that the agreement would allow the City to reduce its supply of water to Tethys in such an event.

Another topic of discussion was the location of the proposed beverage plant. Although no site has been publicly announced yet, “North Everett” is the target. During Benedict’s presentation to the council, he pointed to a map and outlined the north eastern edge of Everett along the Snohomish River as possible area of location. The more desirable locations would be closer to the #4 water transmission line.

So, what kind of drinks will be produced with 5 million gallons a day of Cascade Mountain water?

“It will be anything from brewed teas and coffees, to sodas and bottled water,” Winter said. Tethys Enterprises is a new private venture, but Steve Winter is a life long resident of Snohomish County, having served as the COO of Intermec.

Everett City Council will announce at what future meeting this proposal will be discussed, read, and voted upon.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Located next to the Everett Public Library, Skotdal Real Estate's newest mixed-use residential/retail project represents an “urban living” model that puts people within walking distance of places to work, shop and play.

Additionally, it is transit oriented, has outlets for electric cars and plenty of bike storage - the units are highly energy efficient and many of the building materials were made from recyclable substances.

We are excited that Sean Staub of Skotdal Real Estate has agreed to be our host.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Jacqueline Powers ofPowers Design Company who has 20 years experience in interior design has recently released a self published book about "green remodeling". The book is designed to be used as a workbook for individuals to use when doing their own "green remodel". Jacqueline will be at Elliot Bay Books in Seattle at 7pm on Jan. 20th. Speaking about sustainable remodeling and my book. The book is available for $19.95 in Everett at Apothecary in Thyme or at the Edmonds Book Store in Edmonds. To get your copy or to find out more call 425-771-7715 or e-mail jacuqeline@powersdesignco.com.

Founded nearly 25 years ago, Rice Group has been providing support and design services for architects and contractors in many regions of the country. Specializing in mechanical consulting services including HVAC, plumbing, medical gas and process piping design as well as energy conservation including Energy Code Compliance and training, LEED® and Built Green® evaluation and participation, construction administration, value engineering, feasibility and constructability review and life cycle cost analysis.